Brisbane - bus network proposal

[James]

An extention for the route "104" from Corinda to Yeerongpilly/PA Hospital to the CBD.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zu6iTZ6TGTA4.kgIjxCVqhgjM&usp=sharing

Noooooooooooo!

The 104 is a cross-town route! It is designed for getting people from the Ipswich/Springfield line to the Beenleigh/Gold Coast line without having to go via the CBD. Please don't let BT see this, otherwise it'll become their next "transit improvement".

[kaykayt]

An extention for the route "104" from Corinda to Yeerongpilly/PA Hospital to the CBD.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zu6iTZ6TGTA4.kgIjxCVqhgjM&usp=sharing

Noooooooooooo!

The 104 is a cross-town route! It is designed for getting people from the Ipswich/Springfield line to the Beenleigh/Gold Coast line without having to go via the CBD. Please don't let BT see this, otherwise it'll become their next "transit improvement".

It is just an extension for users at Fairfield gardens etc. to go to the CBD. It does not affect services between Corinda and Yeerongpilly.

Just extra services to CBD.

[bcasey]

An extention for the route "104" from Corinda to Yeerongpilly/PA Hospital to the CBD.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zu6iTZ6TGTA4.kgIjxCVqhgjM&usp=sharing

Noooooooooooo!

The 104 is a cross-town route! It is designed for getting people from the Ipswich/Springfield line to the Beenleigh/Gold Coast line without having to go via the CBD. Please don't let BT see this, otherwise it'll become their next "transit improvement".

It is just an extension for users at Fairfield gardens etc. to go to the CBD. It does not affect services between Corinda and Yeerongpilly.

Just extra services to CBD.

I know you are fairly new here, so I'll explain why what you are suggesting is bad. If you want to learn more about efficient and effective network design, I recommend checking out Jarrett Walker's blog, Human Transit (or buy a copy of his book)

This is the kind of duplication that we are trying to avoid in the bus network proposal. There are already too many different routes going into the CBD, causing the bus congestion you see on the victoria bridge (many of those buses are mainly carrying air), along with plenty of other examples, such as coro drive and gympie road. This duplication of routes is very expensive and inefficient, which is why we are proposing a network based on connections, where you run very-high frequency, high-capacity trunk routes along the main arterials and busways (the rail network is also considered as part of the trunk route system here), and feed them at major interchange points with local feeder buses and the cross-town routes that James is talking about.

The money and driver's time you save by not sending every single route into the CBD, but rather cutting them at the interchange points, allows you to either save money (which can be used to reduce fares) or to improve frequency and span of services, introduce new services into current "blackspot" areas or a mixture of all of the above. By improving frequency and span of services, along with reducing fares, you improve the attractiveness and competitiveness of public transport routes when compared to private vehicles, which drives patronage up, increasing your revenue, which you can put back into more services, and so on and so forth in a positive feedback loop.

EDIT: I will also reiterate what Ozbob mentioned a few posts back, in that our proposal is a solution, not THE solution, so there are definitely still ways that our network could be improved. There are certainly some compromises to the "ideal" trunk and feeder network that we have made due to previous experience with how the Translink review failed a couple years ago. You are quite welcome to add your own proposals, but also be prepared to get some constructive criticism on your ideas.

[Gazza]

An extention for the route "104" from Corinda to Yeerongpilly/PA Hospital to the CBD.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zu6iTZ6TGTA4.kgIjxCVqhgjM&usp=sharing

Noooooooooooo!

The 104 is a cross-town route! It is designed for getting people from the Ipswich/Springfield line to the Beenleigh/Gold Coast line without having to go via the CBD. Please don't let BT see this, otherwise it'll become their next "transit improvement".

It is just an extension for users at Fairfield gardens etc. to go to the CBD. It does not affect services between Corinda and Yeerongpilly.

Just extra services to CBD.

Why can't they use the train to reach the CBD, which runs every 15 mins? Or interchange onto a 66 from PAH busway station.

[kaykayt]

Well at least extend it to UQ then to PA Hospital... --

[kaykayt]

edited... --
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zu6iTZ6TGTA4.kgIjxCVqhgjM&usp=sharing

[#Metro]

I quite like your 905 Indooroopilly to Carindale. I think that is an improvement on the NBNP network.

[James]

Well at least extend it to UQ then to PA Hospital... --

That's backtracking - such a move will p%ss off existing passengers and decrease legibility without producing any tangible benefit. If any uni student wants to get to UQ, they can get off the bus on Annerley Rd and walk. It is only 10 minutes walk, and particularly for someone in the Annerley area, it isn't like they'll drive to UQ instead.

If anything, I think the 104 should be shortened to run Corinda - Yeerongpilly only, with each 104 connecting to an inbound Springfield/Ips train and on to an outbound Beenleigh train. For further effect, stop Gold Coast trains there. Then proceed to advertise the connection - it would save half an hour. As it is, the bus is useless because it only runs hourly and is hardly advertised.

[kaykayt]

That means Ips/Cab express trains should stop at Corinda too...

[James]

That means Ips/Cab express trains should stop at Corinda too...

If you well coordinated the transfer between the express and the all-stops train, you'd probably be able to keep that 'fast link' there for those who want to needed. As is, the via 104 isn't there for the elderly - it is there for those who don't have a car and to take them away from the most congested part of the network (the CBD).

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th December 2015

Re: Bus: CityGlider Reliability takes a Nosedive

Good Morning,

We have had feedback and our observations indicate the problems with Brisbane's bus network are not confined to the CityGlider route.  There are systemic issues all over the network.

A ' head in sand ' approach by Government, transport authorities and Brisbane City Council is very unhelpful to the community.

Leadership and decisive action is needed to sort the mess that is SEQ public transport.  Enough of the spin, deception and duplicity.

A start would be to publish data that is freely available in other states - Bus ontime performance and reliability data at a detailed level that makes it meaningful.

Bus network and fare reform is needed now.   A fare review is underway, Brisbane's bus network just gets worse.

How to sort the bus network is detailed here >  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.0

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

Bus: CityGlider Reliability takes a Nosedive

4th December 2015



Greetings,

The reliability of Brisbane Transport's flagship Blue CityGlider has taken a nose dive in recent weeks, with a groundswell of complaints to on the TransLink facebook page focused on this route, with users complaining of reduced frequency in peak hours, long gaps between services followed by sudden bunches of two or more buses turning up at once, as well as overcrowding and late running.

Complaints tend to be met with a brush off and the impression the issue isn't being taken seriously.

CityGlider Feedback examples:



It's clear that recent tweaks to the timetable have gone quite badly, and not enough is being done to fix these issues in a timely manner and get one of the cities busiest bus routes running to the standard commuters expect for the amount they pay.

With live GPS tracking of buses now in place, there is no reason they cant be analysing this data, publishing it, and hammering out solutions to "hotspots" like this across the network where buses persistently cant keep to unrealistic timetables, or bunch up.

On frequent routes like the CityGlider, bus controllers should be issuing radio instructions to drivers to speed up, or slow down, in order to maintain the 5-10 minute spacing between services passengers expect, and to avoid unbalanced overcrowding.

Brisbane Transport and Translink need to state what they are doing to get their act together on this one sooner rather than later.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 4m

Media: Brisbane PT falling apart ..

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.msg165120#msg165120 ... #qldpol

@jackietrad @TransLinkSEQ @TMRQld

[Golliwog]

I might do that as the inner west still doesn't look right to me. I still don't understand why the maroon glider is being redirected from the busiest to the quietest streets in the area and avoiding major trip generators. It would drive it to failure. Splitting The Gap buses into Coopers Camp and Waterworks is a surprise as well. Also that the major catchment high school (Kelvin Grove College) serving Paddington, Red Hill and Ashgrove is not better served. And Kelvin Grove Urban Village. Rather than whinging I'll try and draw something though I don't know enough to work a full solution, just the local conditions and the aim to have a connected network rather than all buses to the CBD.

I'm not so sure that splitting The Gap buses into Coopers Camp vs Waterworks is bad. Some of the changes should be done progressively. Looking at the way The Gap is currently served, I don't understand why the 382, 382 and 384 exist. I'd scrap those in favour of beefing up the 380/381. I also think the 380/381 should start from the park n' ride not Hilder Rd. Inner Waterworks would be well served by Wardell St routes so splitting allows you to serve multiple destinations (if you stopped the 385 from running express like it does in peak).

I'd be tempted to suggest a 385 running much as it does now but deviate to run School Rd and Paten Rd, a second high frequency route to run down Waterworks Rd from the city, then down Settlement Rd across to Ferny Grove Station. Which ones stayed on Waterworks Rd or ran via Coopers Camp doesn't really matter. Then the remaining parts of The Gap could be served by a loop bus/taxi bus to bring people to the shopping center/main routes.

[aldonius]

In my experience, southbound Settlement Rd traffic either disperses all over the Gap, will run right down Waterworks Rd, or will head to the Western Freeway via Coopers Camp Rd and Metroad 5.

The Glider/385-express combination isn't inherently terrible, they just need to timetable the interleave properly when the 385 isn't running express. Presently the outbound services go at the same time when the Glider is on 15 min frequency.

[Golliwog]

In my experience, southbound Settlement Rd traffic either disperses all over the Gap, will run right down Waterworks Rd, or will head to the Western Freeway via Coopers Camp Rd and Metroad 5.

The Glider/385-express combination isn't inherently terrible, they just need to timetable the interleave properly when the 385 isn't running express. Presently the outbound services go at the same time when the Glider is on 15 min frequency.

Sounds about right - I used to go over Settlement Rd to get to UQ when I was studying if I had to drive. Not the easiest traffic to cater for, but you should be able to get those using it to avoid Samford Rd traffic. Could also provide an alternative for rail if the FG line has issues.

What annoys me most about the Cityglider/385-express is that it's not the same peak/off-peak. It also annoys me how poorly utilised the park n ride facilities at 385 terminus. They put in driver facilities etc, yet the network still has the 380, 381, 382 and 383 using those at Hilder Rd and only the 384 and 385 start from here. They've also made no attempt to run higher capacity buses on any of these routes that the terminus would allow to turn around. But this may also be due to other tight corners on the route - not sure how a tri or an articulated bus would cope with the Coopers Camp/Jubilee Tce intersections. Should be able to run a 380, probably not a 381 though as that turns around on a fairly small roundabout.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

9th December 2015

Greetings,

Bus Reform Crash Course

An important issue for that RAIL Back on Track has for the transport portfolio, is Brisbane City Council's Bus network.

In our opinion, BCC's bus network contains 'black holes', waste and inefficiency.

Recently, problems have also surfaced on BCC's flagship Blue CityGlider bus service.

May we humbly suggest the new transport minister review the material below:

Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11175.0

Brisbane Bus Reform: RAIL Back on Track Launches New Bus Network Proposal
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11046.0

A service quality map of Brisbane City Council's Bus services:
http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

A service quality map of RAIL Back on Track's Hi Frequency Bus Network proposal
http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

'Frequency is Freedom' Guide to Brisbane City Council Bus Network Problems
http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

Brisbane City Council's bus network must be reformed. Bus Reform will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within 2 years, at near-neutral cost.

Once again, we welcome the new Minister for Transport.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

As @Team_Quirk is unable to drive bus reform .. might as well roll out camels hey?
@Rod4Bris @BenPennings #qldpol
>> https://t.co/Yc0JLQKSNL

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 13, 2015

^

Brisbane City Council is really experimenting when it comes to public transport options https://t.co/epFjvsSW27

— Amy Remeikis (@AmyRemeikis) December 13, 2015

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th December 2015

Hobart gets bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Greetings,

This is getting very embarrassing and would be a jolly good laugh if it wasn't so tragic for Brisbane.

Hobart is moving ahead it with its bus reform.

Mercury --> Metro Tasmania launches revamped timetable in fresh bid for improved service

Quote:

Key components of the new service include:

UPDATED easy to read maps and timetables created in consultation with adult numeracy literacy educators 26 TEN.

MORE frequent express ser­vices on key routes, including Bridgewater.

NEW direct routes from Glenorchy, Hobart City and the Eastern Shore to Sandy Bay UTAS.

AN expanded and more ­efficient network servicing new areas of Summerleas in Kingston and Oakdowns and Camelot Park on the Eastern Shore.

BETTER connections at main interchanges.

ADDITIONAL evening and weekend services.

MORE frequent and regular services, including servicing UTAS all year instead of during semester.

Brisbane urgently needs proper reform of its bus network. Lack of action on the failing BCC bus network also affects the rest of SEQ and Queensland (through cuts elsewhere).

The situation is a disgrace.

Don't miss the bus, providing you can manage to catch one ..

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Bus Reform: Tasmanians get bus review, Brisbane lagging behind

Greetings,

First it was the Mayor of Auckland, NZ hiring the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to re-organise Auckland's bus network. Now the Tasmanian Government has done its own citywide bus review. Under the Hobart bus reform, there will be more buses more often:

"The NEW network will streamline services with the objective of achieving fewer, more direct and evenly-spaced routes. This will allow resources to be redirected to create a simpler, easier to understand network.

To make services more direct, walking distances to some bus routes will increase. Where the demand exists there will be services operating in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have a weekday daytime service.

Replacing poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access with more services on key suburban routes."

Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Quirk resisted bus reform and now passengers are fleeing the bus network. After destroying patronage, what exactly is the Lord Mayor's new policy on getting passengers back?

Is there a policy? Uber is already reporting that they are profiting from Brisbane's public transport black holes.

Fares for will also be rolled back for Tasmanians with a new daily fares cap. Here in Brisbane, the unemployed and those on minimum wage struggle to pay transport costs.

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork . 

Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

Hobart New Bus Network
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

Hobart Bus Network Public Engagement
http://metrotas.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HNR-Stakeholder-Report-V2.pdf

[#Metro]

The New Hobart Bus Network uses the same route-km as the old one and does everything within its current contract budget allocation.
This makes it cost neutral. The third example of a city that has achieved major changes with virtually no extra funds (other two are Auckland NZ, and Houston USA).

https://twitter.com/rykgoddard/status/676522244550492160

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th December 2015

Hobart get bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Good Morning,

A few more points to note about Hobart's bus reform:

The Hobart bus network will mean route variations will be more than halved from about 187 routes and variations to about 77.

It is truly extraordinary that they effectively cut the number of routes in half. Brisbane has about 190 routes, and under our New Bus Network it will have around 118 routes (city loop counted once).

The New Hobart Bus Network uses the same route-km as the old one and does everything within its current contract budget allocation.
This makes it cost neutral. The third example of a city that has achieved major changes with virtually no extra funds (other two are Auckland NZ, and Houston USA).

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork .  Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

15th December 2015

Hobart gets bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Greetings,

This is getting very embarrassing and would be a jolly good laugh if it wasn't so tragic for Brisbane.

Hobart is moving ahead it with its bus reform.

Mercury --> Metro Tasmania launches revamped timetable in fresh bid for improved service

Quote:

Key components of the new service include:

UPDATED easy to read maps and timetables created in consultation with adult numeracy literacy educators 26 TEN.

MORE frequent express ser­vices on key routes, including Bridgewater.

NEW direct routes from Glenorchy, Hobart City and the Eastern Shore to Sandy Bay UTAS.

AN expanded and more ­efficient network servicing new areas of Summerleas in Kingston and Oakdowns and Camelot Park on the Eastern Shore.

BETTER connections at main interchanges.

ADDITIONAL evening and weekend services.

MORE frequent and regular services, including servicing UTAS all year instead of during semester.

Brisbane urgently needs proper reform of its bus network. Lack of action on the failing BCC bus network also affects the rest of SEQ and Queensland (through cuts elsewhere).

The situation is a disgrace.

Don't miss the bus, providing you can manage to catch one ..

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Bus Reform: Tasmanians get bus review, Brisbane lagging behind

Greetings,

First it was the Mayor of Auckland, NZ hiring the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to re-organise Auckland's bus network. Now the Tasmanian Government has done its own citywide bus review. Under the Hobart bus reform, there will be more buses more often:

"The NEW network will streamline services with the objective of achieving fewer, more direct and evenly-spaced routes. This will allow resources to be redirected to create a simpler, easier to understand network.

To make services more direct, walking distances to some bus routes will increase. Where the demand exists there will be services operating in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have a weekday daytime service.

Replacing poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access with more services on key suburban routes."

Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Quirk resisted bus reform and now passengers are fleeing the bus network. After destroying patronage, what exactly is the Lord Mayor's new policy on getting passengers back?

Is there a policy? Uber is already reporting that they are profiting from Brisbane's public transport black holes.

Fares for will also be rolled back for Tasmanians with a new daily fares cap. Here in Brisbane, the unemployed and those on minimum wage struggle to pay transport costs.

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork . 

Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

Hobart New Bus Network
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

Hobart Bus Network Public Engagement
http://metrotas.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HNR-Stakeholder-Report-V2.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th December 2015

Brisbane is being left behind ...

Good Morning,

Auckland patronage is booming.  This is what network reform delivers.  Brisbane can be the same.

> http://transportblog.co.nz/2015/12/16/november-15-patronage/

It will be very interesting moving into the Council elections in 2016.  Is this the time that Brisbane might finally get some committment to a better public transport network?  A network that is connected, frequent, accessible, affordable and drives mobility and patronage?  Time will tell.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

16th December 2015

Hobart get bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Good Morning,

A few more points to note about Hobart's bus reform:

The Hobart bus network will mean route variations will be more than halved from about 187 routes and variations to about 77.

It is truly extraordinary that they effectively cut the number of routes in half. Brisbane has about 190 routes, and under our New Bus Network it will have around 118 routes (city loop counted once).

The New Hobart Bus Network uses the same route-km as the old one and does everything within its current contract budget allocation.
This makes it cost neutral. The third example of a city that has achieved major changes with virtually no extra funds (other two are Auckland NZ, and Houston USA).

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork .  Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

15th December 2015

Hobart gets bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Greetings,

This is getting very embarrassing and would be a jolly good laugh if it wasn't so tragic for Brisbane.

Hobart is moving ahead it with its bus reform.

Mercury --> Metro Tasmania launches revamped timetable in fresh bid for improved service

Quote:

Key components of the new service include:

UPDATED easy to read maps and timetables created in consultation with adult numeracy literacy educators 26 TEN.

MORE frequent express ser­vices on key routes, including Bridgewater.

NEW direct routes from Glenorchy, Hobart City and the Eastern Shore to Sandy Bay UTAS.

AN expanded and more ­efficient network servicing new areas of Summerleas in Kingston and Oakdowns and Camelot Park on the Eastern Shore.

BETTER connections at main interchanges.

ADDITIONAL evening and weekend services.

MORE frequent and regular services, including servicing UTAS all year instead of during semester.

Brisbane urgently needs proper reform of its bus network. Lack of action on the failing BCC bus network also affects the rest of SEQ and Queensland (through cuts elsewhere).

The situation is a disgrace.

Don't miss the bus, providing you can manage to catch one ..

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Bus Reform: Tasmanians get bus review, Brisbane lagging behind

Greetings,

First it was the Mayor of Auckland, NZ hiring the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to re-organise Auckland's bus network. Now the Tasmanian Government has done its own citywide bus review. Under the Hobart bus reform, there will be more buses more often:

"The NEW network will streamline services with the objective of achieving fewer, more direct and evenly-spaced routes. This will allow resources to be redirected to create a simpler, easier to understand network.

To make services more direct, walking distances to some bus routes will increase. Where the demand exists there will be services operating in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have a weekday daytime service.

Replacing poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access with more services on key suburban routes."

Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Quirk resisted bus reform and now passengers are fleeing the bus network. After destroying patronage, what exactly is the Lord Mayor's new policy on getting passengers back?

Is there a policy? Uber is already reporting that they are profiting from Brisbane's public transport black holes.

Fares for will also be rolled back for Tasmanians with a new daily fares cap. Here in Brisbane, the unemployed and those on minimum wage struggle to pay transport costs.

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork . 

Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

Hobart New Bus Network
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

Hobart Bus Network Public Engagement
http://metrotas.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HNR-Stakeholder-Report-V2.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd December 2015

Bus reform needed

Good Morning,

The bus network was broken in 2013.  It is only worse now.

Will there be the courage to sort it?

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

15th December 2015

Hobart gets bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Greetings,

This is getting very embarrassing and would be a jolly good laugh if it wasn't so tragic for Brisbane.

Hobart is moving ahead it with its bus reform.

Mercury --> Metro Tasmania launches revamped timetable in fresh bid for improved service

Quote:

Key components of the new service include:

UPDATED easy to read maps and timetables created in consultation with adult numeracy literacy educators 26 TEN.

MORE frequent express ser­vices on key routes, including Bridgewater.

NEW direct routes from Glenorchy, Hobart City and the Eastern Shore to Sandy Bay UTAS.

AN expanded and more ­efficient network servicing new areas of Summerleas in Kingston and Oakdowns and Camelot Park on the Eastern Shore.

BETTER connections at main interchanges.

ADDITIONAL evening and weekend services.

MORE frequent and regular services, including servicing UTAS all year instead of during semester.

Brisbane urgently needs proper reform of its bus network. Lack of action on the failing BCC bus network also affects the rest of SEQ and Queensland (through cuts elsewhere).

The situation is a disgrace.

Don't miss the bus, providing you can manage to catch one ..

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Bus Reform: Tasmanians get bus review, Brisbane lagging behind

Greetings,

First it was the Mayor of Auckland, NZ hiring the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to re-organise Auckland's bus network. Now the Tasmanian Government has done its own citywide bus review. Under the Hobart bus reform, there will be more buses more often:

"The NEW network will streamline services with the objective of achieving fewer, more direct and evenly-spaced routes. This will allow resources to be redirected to create a simpler, easier to understand network.

To make services more direct, walking distances to some bus routes will increase. Where the demand exists there will be services operating in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have a weekday daytime service.

Replacing poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access with more services on key suburban routes."

Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Quirk resisted bus reform and now passengers are fleeing the bus network. After destroying patronage, what exactly is the Lord Mayor's new policy on getting passengers back?

Is there a policy? Uber is already reporting that they are profiting from Brisbane's public transport black holes.

Fares for will also be rolled back for Tasmanians with a new daily fares cap. Here in Brisbane, the unemployed and those on minimum wage struggle to pay transport costs.

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork . 

Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

Hobart New Bus Network
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

Hobart Bus Network Public Engagement
http://metrotas.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HNR-Stakeholder-Report-V2.pdf

[ozbob]

Twitter

NACTO ‏@NACTO 12h

Houston's bus ridership is up 11% after converting to a frequent grid network in August http://bit.ly/1QY14AL 

[achiruel]

Re: the 104, is there any reason it needs to go to Corinda? Isn't that essentially legacy routing, because that's where the train went? Perhaps Graceville would be a suitable terminus.

[James]

I think the argument against Graceville would be difficulty accessing the station from Graceville Ave. Inbound, you'd either have to head down to Long St E, loop around and turn around in some back street or head into some back streets and turn around in the vicinity of Christ the King. Outbound would be simpler provided you did the turnaround loop on the way in. Regardless, I think doing this would significantly reduce the time benefit, particularly in peak hour when Oxley Rd is difficult to turn right off.
There also really isn't much at Graceville. There's a twin cinema which tends to show more adult/alternative films and a few small shops, compared to Sherwood/Corinda which have a Coles/Woolies and a lot more shops. Corinda also has two large schools nearby (Corinda State High + St Aidans) vs. Graceville with two primary schools. Finally, Corinda is DDA, while Graceville is not (well, for now).

All these things combine to work against Graceville. Sure, you could terminate at Sherwood, but again, you have the same problems with access and Sherwood is so close to Corinda you might as well travel the extra 800m down the road.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th January 2016

Brisbane Bus Reform: New Year, New Lord Mayor?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web-based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called on the public to boycott candidates that won't fix Brisbane's broken bus network.

This year is an election year for Brisbane City Councillors. For over three years now, our issues with BCC's bus network have been ignored.

Polling done by The Courier Mail reveals 39% of people are undecided about giving Lord Mayor Graham Quirk another go. Both The Greens and ALP challengers are strongly supportive of improvements to the Brisbane Bus Network. Our own proposals to fix the mess were made public over a year ago at http://tiny.cc/newnetwork. This includes a 400 CentenaryGlider through Mt Ommaney, a 230 BulimbaGlider through Bulimba and an extension of the 196 Fairfield BUZ into Yeronga. Our proposal has been viewed more than 9000 times.

A number of questions now need to be raised over the Lord Mayor and Brisbane City Council's stewardship of the Brisbane Bus Network:

    . Why has nothing been done about bus service black holes in Yeronga, Bulimba, the northwestern suburbs and the centenary suburbs?
    . Why has nothing been done about the enormous inefficiency/waste/service duplication which floods the CBD with too many buses, but leaves suburbs starved of decent bus service?
    . Why were Brisbane City Council staff instructed not to co-operate with TransLink bus reviewers on six occasions during the 2013 bus review, and who authorised this?
    . Why have we been fed anti-bus interchange claptrap when connected bus networks already operate successfully on the Gold Coast, where they have increased bus patronage?

Even Hobart, Tasmania, has managed to muster up the courage to sort its city bus network. Likewise Adelaide, South Australia. Similar reviews in Auckland (NZ) and Houston (USA) demonstrate that these can be cost-neutral.

Brisbane residents deserve better than "Australia's most modern bus fleet."* They deserve Australia's best bus network, and our proposal shows how to do it. Is anyone at City Hall listening?

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:



* Brisbane City Council has recently been sticking this slogan all over its bus fleet. In our opinion, this is because the council election is coming.

Brisbane bus passenger numbers plunge due to high prices poor service
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-bus-passenger-numbers-plunge-due-to-high-prices-poor-service/news-story/4ba19a68fb79c19a93a933f6c79c414c

Rod Harding primed to topple Lord Mayor Graham Quirk
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/rod-harding-primed-to-topple-lord-mayor-graham-quirk/news-story/3f48342cf4a6c8c700780e62225119ab

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th January 2016

Greetings,

Brisbane Bus Network: Brisbane Apartment EXPLOSION

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web-based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers calls on Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Lord Mayoral candidates to fix Brisbane's bus network.

We think there is a transport crisis on the horizon. We've noticed very large numbers of apartment blocks under various stages of construction, or recent completion. There are construction projects around Garden City/Mt Gravatt, The Gap/Upper Kedron, Taringa, Bulimba, Milton, Toowong, St Lucia, multiple blocks going up around the PA Hospital, large projects at Buranda station and Cannon Hill, and a number in Fortitude Valley/Newstead. Literally, there are cranes everywhere, all over the city.

Indeed, more than 11,000+ apartment construction approvals were granted in the year from May 2014-2015. This was a 200% + increase on the year 2012-2013.

Brisbane's public transport network is not prepared for this boom. This boom is going to put massive pressure on the entire public transport network across the entire city, with wider ramifications for the rest of south-east Queensland.

Unfortunately, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Brisbane City Council have refused to fix Brisbane's broken bus network. They have ignored our concerns over the past three years. They refused to cooperate with TransLink to deliver much needed reform of the network in 2013. We are now seeing the consequences - a rapid failing bus network, with wider implications for all of south-east Queensland. All regions other than Brisbane have suffered service cuts and reduced spans of hours due to BCC's anti-integration public transport position.

We just don't have the time or the money to start constructing more busways or railways to deal with this. It is happening too quickly. Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government need to reorganise the entire Brisbane bus network pronto. We suggest retaining the fares review task force panel and re-purposing it to also review the Brisbane bus network.

The Lord Mayor's so called 'evolution approach', at four bus route changes per year,  would take 50 years to reform the network. There is absolutely no credibility to that approach - that approach must be rejected. Even Hobart Tasmania has managed to complete their bus network reorganisation.

Our New Bus Network Proposal in 2014 is available here http://tiny.cc/newnetwork Brisbane City Council needs to step in and fund new CityGliders to Bulimba and the centenary suburbs for a start.

This council election, we are asking all ratepayers to boycott any candidates who do not support bus reform, regardless of party affiliation.

This city's bus network must be fixed, before it is too late!

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Reference:

Brisbane unit approvals skyrocket
http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/brisbane-unit-approvals-skyrocket-20150716-gie6b9.html

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 19m

Failure - hallmark of @Team_Quirk ... Brisbane is being left behind

>> https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/688044238404227073 ... #qldpol #bccvotes

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th January 2016

The case for Brisbane Bus Reform

Greetings.

We hope the image below explains the reasons why we favour bus reform over light rail. Had Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and the former Lord Mayor actually implemented the Lord Mayor's Mass Transit Report (2007) recommendations to reorganise the bus network, we would not be having this conversation about Light Rail (yet again) now. Brisbane City Council had many years to act, why didn't it act?

Image: Light Rail vs Bus Reform - New Bus Network. Only 15-minute frequent services shown. Purple - our proposed superbus lines.
Vehicle acquisition costs not part of estimate.



New Bus Network Proposal - Frequent Services

http://tiny.cc/newnetwork (New Network, All services)
http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus (Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network)

66 UQ Lakes - RBWH - Converted to superbus operation.

Hi 111 Eight Mile Plains - Merged with 160, Co-locate 555 in King George Square.
Hi 190 Blue CityGlider - Travel the full length of Montague Rd. Consider for Superbus conversion.
Hi 196 Yeronga - Extend current 196 into Yeronga via Kadumba St.
Hi 100 Inala Express - Alter route to travel via Moorooka
Hi 120 Garden City via Coopers Plains station - Bus altered to connect passengers into via Coopers Plains rail station
Hi 130 Sunnybank Hills - No change.
Hi 140 Browns Plains RSL - No change.
Hi 150 Browns Plains - No change.
Hi 175 Logan Road (Garden City) - Created by amalgamation with 174. Faster route via new Buranda busway routing.
Hi 180 Cavendish Rd (Garden City) - New routing connects to Coorparoo station. Less duplication.
Hi 185 Mansfield - Faster routing via Nursery Rd and busway.
Hi 199 West End- No change.
Hi 200 Carindale - New routing. Residents in Stanley Rd and Macrossan St Seven Hills get new access to Hi Frequency buses.
Hi 205 Carindale Heights - New Hi Frequency along the entire length of Cavendish Rd.
Hi 209 UQ Lakes - No change.
Hi 222 Carindale Interchange - Convert to superbus.
Hi 230 BulimbaGlider via Morningside Station. Amalgamate existing services in the area to create BulimbaGlider. Connect to Roma St/Morningside rail.
Hi 300 Toombul Interchange - New Hi frequency bus service through Hamilton and along Kingsford Smith Drive
Hi 330 Bracken Ridge - Passengers fed to rail at Zillmere. Continues to Chermside. Rail connection frees up buses for expanding Hi Frequency elsewhere in Brisbane.
Hi 333 Chermside Interchange - Convert to superbus.
Hi 340 Carseldine Rail - No change.
Hi 345 Aspley - No change.
Hi 359 Albany Creek - New Hi Frequency service to Albany Creek.
Hi 374 Maroon Glider - Serving Bardon.
Hi 375 Stafford - Upgraded to Hi Frequency service.
Hi 380 The Gap via Ashgrove - Amalgamate low-frequency routes in area to create new Hi Frequency service.
Hi 385 The Gap via Paddington - No change.
Hi 400 CentenaryGlider (Superbus) - Amalgamate low-frequency routes to create a new Hi Frequency service. Superbus.
Hi 412 St Lucia (Superbus) - Convert to superbus operation. Amalgamate 402 serice.
Hi 444 Moggill - Feed rail at Indooroopilly. Connect to 400 CentenaryGlider Superbus.

Selected CityConnector Cross-Town services
902 Toombul via Carindale (CITYCONNECTOR) - Amalgamate Great Circle Line routes and 590 to create new Hi Frequency service.
911 UQ via Hawken Drive (CITYCONNECTOR) - Amalgamate Great Circle Line and 411 to create new Hi Frequency service.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

Lord Mayors Mass Transit Report
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/sept07_final_report_brisbane_mass_transit_investigation_lmt.pdf

Call for CityGlider in the Centenary Suburbs
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141105-11gxl3.html

[QLDBUS]

what would be the changes if there was no superbuses proposed

[kaykayt]

What's the point of 104 bus services when Gold Coast/Bne Airport services don't stop at Yeerongpilly, and Express Ipswich/Caboolture lines don't stop at Corinda?

[STB]

What's the point of 104 bus services when Gold Coast/Bne Airport services don't stop at Yeerongpilly, and Express Ipswich/Caboolture lines don't stop at Corinda?

Helps provide access to Tennyson (especially now the railway station is closed), and access to the PA Hospital from the western side of the network.

Just because the expresses don't stop at those stations, doesn't diminish the value of the service.

[kaykayt]

Would be better if it did.

[aldonius]

what would be the changes if there was no superbuses proposed

The superbus routes would simply be run by existing buses, using the highest-capacity ones if possible and probably at a higher frequency to compensate for the smaller vehicle.

[SurfRail]

Would be better if it did.

The demand is next to non existent even at the all stops / local level, so there's no need to punish the rest of us.

[techblitz]

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/1307466905946038

very good facebook complaint from a mt ommaney user...

titled: An open letter to Translink and the Brisbane City Councli.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd January 2016

Bus Reform: Centenary resident vents over shabby BCC bus network

Greetings,

We republish here an open letter by a frustrated Centenary Suburbs resident, posted to the
TransLink website. Obviously more to Brisbane than just Light Rail in inner suburbs hey?

Lord Mayor, why have you let the Brisbane Bus Network fall into such a shabby state?
You and Brisbane City Council had the chance to sort the mess in 2013, when BCC took control
of the bus review.

Why hasn't the bus network been sorted? Hobart and Auckland (NZ) have already done it.
We have been banging on about The Centenary Suburbs, a a known 'black hole', for years.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

---

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/1307466905946038

An open letter to Translink and the Brisbane City Council.

With phrases like "Australia's Most Modern Bus
Fleet" and "Brisbane, Australia's New World City" plastered on the side of almost every bus driving
around this disastrously disconnected city it begs the question, to what era of modernism are you
referring to? I've recently made the move to Brisbane from the public transport wonderland known as
Melbourne and upon initial inspection online, the Brisbane transport map once seemed sufficient and well
established considering the population, climate and topography of such a unplanned, mountainous city, I
was delightfully surprised.

I've been in Brisbane now for 4 months and I must say not a day has gone by
without the sheer disappointment and regret of having to catch this excuse for 'public transport'. In
Melbourne, I resided in the zone 1 suburb of Caulfield (Melbourne only has 2 zones), 13.6kms from
Melbourne CBD. Where a total fare of 3.50 per for an adult was charged to my smart, easy to use and COIN
ACCEPTING ticket.

On the other hand I currently reside in Mt Ommaney, with a distance of 15.1 Km's from
the city centre of Brisbane, zone 5. Today, like every day of the past 4 months I have managed to rustle
up $7.5 for my ONE WAY bus service to work, where I sit on a crowded, hot bus that more often than not
runs extremely late if even at all. Only to sit all day in my work to rustle up another $7.5 for my trip
back home.

Now, I'm no public transport or city planning expert, but it is of my knowledge that if public
transport is easily accessible, cheap and simple to use, people tend to opt out of driving on clogged,
noisy, polluted roads through the bottleneck system that is, the Brisbane road network (not putting the
blame of this on anyone, that's just what happens when you build a city on the banks of a very large and
windy river).

Luckily a family member of mine has come to the rescue of lending me a car for the
remaining 6 months I plan to live in this city. With the use of this vehicle, I look forward to spending
less that $15 a day and 3.5hrs on public transport to get me to and from my home and place of work. I'm
not as excited though, to just be another fuel consuming, congesting motorist, in a city that already has
plenty of those. Nevertheless, it's the lesser of two evils, in my opinion.

I suppose this letter won't do much in terms of creating change or inspiring some sort of revolutionary
upheaval of the Brisbane City Public Transport network. It's more or less a way for me to release my
frustration and utter disappointment in my decision to try and embrace this awful, awful network.
It really is no wonder why Brisbane is consistently voted amongst the worst cities in Australia for
its public transport network. Perhaps some new phrases for the busses could be as follows,

"Brisbane, Australia's most user hating city" Or
"Translink, we will get you there eventually*"

*if you have a small fortune to ride with us.

Yours Sincerely, a broke, frustrated and bitterly disappointed resident of Brisbane.

[achiruel]

On the other hand I currently reside in Mt Ommaney, with a distance of 15.1 Km's from
the city centre of Brisbane, zone 5. Today, like every day of the past 4 months I have managed to rustle
up $7.5 for my ONE WAY bus service to work, where I sit on a crowded, hot bus that more often than not
runs extremely late if even at all. Only to sit all day in my work to rustle up another $7.5 for my trip
back home.

I'm sorry, but I find it hard to take seriously a person who can't even be bothered to buy a Go card for a more than 6 month stay in Brisbane. They could have easily been saving over 40% of that fare.

[ozbob]

Yo, I hear you.  But it is a good indication of how the average punter sees things, and the crass bus con.

[STB]

Just noticed that above open letter has been deleted from Facebook.